Pile-driver.



No. 640,865. Patented Ian. 9, I900. J. W. BLUNDON.

PILE DRIVER.

(Application filed App. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 1 5 Sheets8heet I.

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Patented Ian. 9, I900. J. W. BLUNDON.

PlLE DRIVER (Application filed Apr. 5, 1899.)

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WITNESSES.-

Patented Ian. 9, I900.

J. W. BLUNDDN.

PILE DRIVER.

(Application filed Apr. 5, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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No. 640,865. Patented Ian. 9, I900.

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(Application'flled. Apr. 5, 1899.) '(No'ModeL) 5 Shasta-Sheet 4.

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No. 640,865. Patn'ted Jan. 9, I900.

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PILEDRIVER.

(Application filed Apr. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets$heet 5.

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ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH W. BLUNDON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JOHN R. SHOCK, JOHN S. CQPLY, AND CHARLES E. KIMBALL,

OF SAME PLACE.

PlLE-DRIVER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 640,865, dated January 9, 1900'. Application filed April 5, 1899. Serial No. 711,779- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. BLUNDON, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pile-Drivers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in pile-drivers.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pile-driver constructed in accordance with this invention and mounted upon a railroad-car. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the pile-driver lifted to an inclined position, showing in connection therewith the forward end of a car. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the pile-driver as shown in Fig. 2, the view being taken from the rear, or from the rear of the car. Fig. 4 is a detail view in plan of the turn-table and pivotal mountings of the pile-driver, showing in section the framework of the hammer-frame and in full lines the top of the hammer. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the detail as shown in Fig. 4, being the sections Y Y and X X combined. Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in side elevation, of the pivotal bearings of the hammer-frame and a section of the turn-table, taken on the lines Z Z in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail View, in side elevation, of the hammer. Fig. 8 is a detail view in perspective of the pile-head truck sometimes used in connection with this invention. Fig. 9 is a detail illustrating the pile-head truck applied to a pile.

This invention has for its objects to provide a pile-driver which will control the direction at which a pile is driven as the same is inclined from the vertical; further, to provide a pile-driver which will operate about a segment of a circle drawn around the end of a car-body; further, to provide a simple and effective construction whereby the equilibrium of the machine may be obtained in all angles of operation, and, further, to provide a simple and efiective mechanism by means of which the angle of operation of the piledriver may be changed and also the location of the point of operation abouta given center.

The invention consists in providing upon the end of a car-body a turn-table suitably mounted upon stationary tracks on the said 5 5 car-body to overhang the one end and adjacent sides of the car and provided with suitable standards to form the bearing for the hammer-frame to swing upon.

It further consists in providing the turntable with suitable weights or detention devices by means of which it is caused to counterbalance the Weight of the hammer-frame in its various positions.

It further consists in providing a pivotal bearing for the hammer-frame and a raising and lowering mechanism in connection therewith, whereby the angle of operation of the hammer-frame is changed at will.

It further consists in providing the hammer with antifriction devices upon which it is run while operating in an inclined position of the hammer-frame, and it further consists in the construction and employment of a pile head carrier or truck by means of which the head of the pile is maintained in the line of the angle of operation.'

To facilitate the description of the invention with reference to the drawings, we will use the letter A to designate the hammerframe. This may of any suitable construction, that shown in the drawings being preferred. This consists in the two side frames or trusses A, carrying on the front stringers A rails or guides A over which the guideflanges on the hammer rest. At the upper and lower ends of the hammer-frame it is provided in any suitable manner with the idlerpulleys A A Set-opposite the lower pulley A so as to form guides to the same, are mounted the friction-rollers A A between which the lifting-line passes to the pulley from the hoisting-engine. At the lower end the hammer-frame is provided with or secured rigidly upon two twin rings B B, which are provided with the outwardly-extended flanges B B and internal cog-teeth B The outwardly-extending flanges B B rest over and upon suitable recesses or rabbets C, formed in the heavy standards C C. The I00 rings B B are controlled to move around the circular standards 0 G by means of a train of gears consisting of the worm B the wormgear B, the beveled gears 13 B and the coggears B B", both of which are mounted upon the same shaft. By this means the motion which is transmitted to the cog-gears B B is exactly the same, and through the interposition of the train of gears the power required to move the rings B B and the hammer-frame is proportionately slight. The mounting of these various gears is contained within the circular standards C G and the turn-table G which in the preferred form are made in an integral casting, the united weight of which is designed to be extreme, so as to counterbalance the overhanging weight of the hammerframe and the hammer when in a raised position, and with this object in view the parts are made as large and solid as can be accomplished. V

The standards 0 O are formed of a complete circle, in the outer edge of which is formed the recesses C to receive the flanges of the rings B B and to constitute a guide therefor.

It will now be observed that with a construction formed as thus far described the hammer-frame A and the rings B B may be revolved about the standards 0 C to present the hammer-frame at any angle to the horizontal which is desired and at which pile driving is practicable; also, it will permit the hammer-frame being set back to rest upon the body of the car, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

The to rn-table C is mounted upon a track D, which in the present instance consists of a round circular ring-plate having in the upper surface an annular V-shaped groove D. A groove C corresponding in diameter and shape, is formed in the under side of the turntable 0 These grooves D and C are provided to receive antifriction-balls D For this construction, however, there may be substituted conical-shaped rollers, wheels, or a smooth track. The turn-table is rotated by means of the gear-wheel 0 which is mounted in the bracketed bearing 0 set on the side of the turn-table. This wheel is provided with suitable rotating devices, such as a. crank-lever or any suitable gear. As it is rotated it transmits a rotary motion to a gear C of similar or less size than the gear 0 The turn-table is provided with stirru ped steps 0 which prevent the table being lifted ed the track D by any uncalculated weight.

The gear 0 engages gear-teeth D formed in the outer edge of the plate 1). The plate D being stationary, when the train of gears above enumerated are rotated the efiect is upon the table 0 to cause it to move slowly about its center. The grooves C and D maintain it centrally located.

By means of the construction thus far described it will he observed that the hammerframe A may be raised and lowered to any suitable angle of inclination to the horizontal; also, that the table may be rotated upon its center to present the point of operation of the pile-driver at any point within the swing of the table when not obstructed by the frame of the car-body.

The hammer E is raised by means of a hoisting-line AQwhich is trained over the idler-pulleys A A and extends to the hoisting -engine X, as before mentioned. The hammer E is provided with a longitudinal groove, both sides of which extend over the track or guide on the stringers A In some instances and in the preferred form the groove is provided with antifriction-rollers E E, which maintains the hammer in the most advantageous position with reference to its effectiveness. This mounting of the hammer upon rollers is particularly effective in a construction of the present design, where it is intended that the hammer will operate while the hammer-frame A is in an inclined position. With the ordinary guides and grooves there would be danger of jamming the hammer in the ways or of losing a portion or the effectiveness of the stroke by reason of friction.

The invention has been described as being applied to a car-body; but it will be understood that the construction may be adapted and used on a suitably-constructed barge for marine pile-driving also, it may be used upon a stationary platform. The structure upon which it is carried forms no part of the present invention, only as the same is altered in its construction to adapt itself to the needs and requirements of the invention.

The advantages which may be attained by means of this construction are particularly shown when it is desired to drive piling at an inclination to the horizontal, which is often the case in constructing sea-walls, breakwaters, and the like. In the use of the invention in such positions I have designed and employ a pile'head truck G, which is shown in perspective at Fig. 8 of the drawings. This consists of a stirruped construction mounted upon wheels G, which are adapted to rest upon the guides or rails set in the hammerframe. This is secured to the head of the pile, and as the same is thrown off the balance and rests upon the hammer-frame the wheels of the carrier or truck hold the head of the pile in line with the point. As the pile-head is driven the truck runs with the head of the pile at every stroke of the hammer and in its full course until the end of the hammer-frame is reached, and the head of the pile is maintained throughout in its desired position.

When the hammer-frame is swung to either side of the perpendicular, it will be noticed that its tendency to tilt is exerted upon one extremity or the other of the turn-table 0 but is compelled to use the edge to the side to which the weight is thrown as a fulcrum. This necessitates the lifting of the whole weight of the turn-table upon that edge.

In some instances where it is desired that the turn-table should be made of a lighter construction I have supplemented the weight of the table by guying down the turn-table to a part of the structure already constructed. These guys are attached to those parts of the turn-table in the line of" movement of the throw or swing of the hammer-frame.

Having thus described this invention, it is claimed- 1. In a device of the nature indicated, a

supporting structure, a standard having a and engaging the curved guideway of the standard, said ring being rotatable upon the standard; substantially as described.

2. In a device of the nature indicated, a supporting structure, a standard having a curved guideway, a hammer-frame, a bearing-ring secured upon said hammer-frame and engaging the curved guideway of the standard, said ring being provided with teeth on its periphery, and a suitably-mounted actuating-gear engaging said teeth; substantially as described.

3. In a device of the nature indicated, a supporting structure, a standard having a curved guideway, a hammer-frame, and a bearingring secured upon said hammerframe, said ring having a flange engaging the curved guideway and being rotatable upon the standard; substantially as described.

4. In a device of the nature indicated, a supporting structure, a standard having a curved guideway, ahammer-frame, a bearingring secured upon said hammer-frame and engaging the curved guideway of the standard, said ring being provided with teeth on its periphery, a shaft journaled in said standard, a'

gear upon said shaft engaging the said teeth on the ring, a worm with means for rotating it journaled upon the standard, a shaft jour naled upon the standard and having a wormgear meshing with the said worm, and beveled gears between said shafts; substantially as described.

5. In a pile-driver, in combination with a hammer-frame provided at the lower end with bearing-rings having gear-teeth formed in the periphery thereof; a turn-table mounted upon a suitable track or ways, and adapted to be rotated upon the same about its center; standards mounted upon the said table and rigidly secured thereto and adapted to receive and become bearings for thesaid rings; a cogwheel suitably mounted in the said standards or table to engage the gear-teeth formed in the said rings and provided with suitable rotating mechanism, substantially as described.

6. In a pile-driver, in combination with a to engage-the gear-teeth in the said bearingrings and adapted to rotate the same about the said standards; and a second train of gear-wheels and suitable connections mounted in the said turn-table and engaging the said toothed track or segment mounted upon the track structure and adapted to turn the said turn-table about its center when the said train of gears is rotated, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the nature indicated, a hammer-frame having guides thereon. said frame being adapted to lie in an inclined position, and a pile-head carrier consisting of a suitable frame to receive the head of the pile and provided with members adapted to rest upon said guides and thus control the movement of the pile during the operation of driv ing; substantially as described.

8. In a device of thevnature indicated, a hammer-frame having guides thereon, a hammer adapted to travel on said guides, said frame being adapted to lie in an inclined position, and a pile-head carrier consisting of a suitable frame to receive the head of the pile 5 and provided with members adapted to rest upon said guides and thus control the movement of the pile during the operation of driving; substantially as described.

9. In a pile-driver, in combination with a hammer-frame having guides to control the path of operation of the hammer, and having at the lower end pivotal bearings a rotating mechanism adapted to swing the said frame about its pivotal bearings and maintain the same in an inclined position; a suitable lifting hammer mechanism adapted to raise and release a hammer; and a pile-head carrier consisting of a suitable frame to receive the head of a pile, and provided with wheels adapted to rest upon the guides in the said hammer-frame, substantially as described, whereby the pile is guided throughout the operation of driving.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of March, 1899.

- JOSEPH W. BLUNDON.

Witnesses:

E. F. MURDOCK, M. H. HARMS. 

